Switch mechanism



y 1957 J. B. PARSONS 2,793,259

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed April 12, 1954 INVENTOR. John 5 Parsons .EIELE-HEL-5 WUW ATTORNEY United States Patent SWITCH MECHANISM John B.Parsons, Maumee, Ohio Application April 12, 1954, Serial No. 422,509

9 Claims. (Cl. 200-6) This invention relates to switch mechanismparticularly of the type for selectively carrying current to severaloutlets, and an object is to produce a new and improved switch mechanismof this character which operates satisfactorily; can be manufacturedeconomically on a quantity basis; is rigid and sturdy and reliable inconstruction; and has the unique features of construction, assembly andoperation hereinafter described.

For purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, an embodiment ofthe invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 isa face View of the switch mechanism mounted on a supporting panel;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevation substantially on the line 2-2of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 2 but showing the switchshifted to one position for making the desired contact;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the contact spring elements;and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cup-like conductor unit.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a plastic block orbase 10 of any suitable electrical insulating material. Slidable overthe base 10 which is substantially square in cross section is a metalliccover member 11, the skirt of which is adapted to telescope over aportion of the base 10. Integral with the outer portion of the cover 11is an escutcheon 12 which is flat and generally oval in appearance asshown in Figure 1 to fit flatly against a supporting panel 14 to whichthe escutcheon is secured by screws 12a. The front end of the cover 11is closed by an integral wall 15 which as shown is inwardly dished onthe outer side, the inner side being flat. The cover 15 has a centralopening 16 which is surrounded by an inwardly extending cylindricaltube-like flange 17 integral with the cover. Mounted for universalrocking movement within the tube-like flange 17 is a rocker 18 which isgenerally in the form of a double truncated cone, the structure beingsuch that the central portion of the rocker provides a peripheral ridgefrom which taper in opposite directions the cone portions substantiallyas shown on Figure 1. This enables the rocker to rock in any directiondesired within a single plane and still maintain its proper positionrelative to the inner working parts of the switch mechanism. The rocker18 may be of metal such as a die casting, chromium plated for example toenhance its appearance, and secured to the outer end thereof is anoperating knob 19 which extends outwardly beyond the dished cover 15 inposition to be readily and conveniently grasped for operation. The knob19 may likewise be of metal plated to enhance its appearance and of anydesired esthetic design.

On the inner end of the rocker 18 is a post-like extension 20 secured inany suitable manner to the rocker 18. Intermediate the post extension 20and the rocker 18 is a washer 21 which as indicated in Figure 2 isadapted normally to seat against the inner end of the tube-like flange17. Bearing against the inner face of the washer 21 is a conical spring22, the small end of the spring engaging the washer 21 and the large endof the spring seating against a washer 23 which abuts and bears againstthe heads 24 of an annular row of prongs or pins 25 which extend throughthe insulating base 10 with the opposite ends projecting outwardlytherebeyond to be plugged into a suitable receptacle as will be readilyunderstood.

The post extension 20 is of electrical insulating material and mountedon the inner end thereof in any suitable manner is a contact nose 26 ofelectrical conductive material. The unit including the nose 26 has anattaching portion 27 which is socketed in and suitably secured to thepost extension 20. Intermediate the nose and attaching portion 27 is anintegral disk-like head 28, the rim of which projects outwardly beyondthe side walls of the post extension 20.

As will more fully appear hereinafter the contact nose 26 is adapted toengage one of the arms of a cup-like conductor. As shown the conductoris a one piece metallic structure having a base 29 formed with a centralaperture 30 through which the pin or prong 31 extends, the same beingconnected to a battery or other source of electrical current. Integralwith the base 29 and extending at substantially right angles thereto andspaced from each other are four legs 32. The legs 32 extend into slotsformed in the base 10, slots being indicated generally at 34. Thus thelegs 32 are in position to be engaged by the contact nose 26 uponrocking of the armature mernher. It will be apparent that the face 29 ofthe contact member abuts against the outside of a base member 35integral with the base 10 as indicated particularly in Figures l and 4,the same being socketed in its under side to accommodate the head of thepin or prong 31. It will also be apparent that the upper surface of thebase or partition member 35 is free of contact with the adjacent end ofthe Contact nose 26, enabling the contact nose to be rocked in thedesired manner without contacting the portion 35.

Surrounding the recessed portion into which the contact nose 26 projectsis a recessed portion 38 which as shown in Figure 3 is not complete noris it of any definite configuration. .It is formed by a recess toreceive the free end of eachof the contact springs 39. It will beunderstood that there is one contact spring for each of the prongs 25.

The contact springs 39 are generally L-shaped as indicated on Figure 5having a fiat upper portion which abuts against the flat end portion ofthe plastic base 10 and being apertured to receive the prongs 25. Thelong arm of the spring 39 inclines outwardly normally as indicated inFigure 5 so that when it is applied in position of use, it is underspring tension to engage against the inner wall of the recess 38. Thusin position of use the long arm of the spring 39 is substantiallyparallel to the normal axis of the switch mechanism. The springs 39 arein position to be contacted by the disc-like head 28 of the contactpiece which shifts with the knob as above indicated and as best shown onFigure 4.

On the drawing there are shown five pins or prongs 25 and these havebeen given designation as 25a, 25b, and 250, these being substantiallyequally spaced from each other. Then between the pins 25a and 25b isanother pin 25e. As above mentioned it will be understood that alongwith each of these pins or prongs is a contact spring 39.

The contact nose 26, although it is mounted for more or less universalmovement, can only move within defined paths. For this purpose a pair ofintersecting cross channels 36 and 37 formed in the insulated base 10determine the movement of the contact nose. As shown in Figure 3 thesechannels or grooves cross each other at right angles and at the end ofeach of these channels is disposed one of the legs 32 above mentioned,these legs carrying current from the battery or other source. Thus whenthe contact nose 26 is brought into engagement with one or another ofthe current-carrying legs 32, current then passes from the legs 32 tothe contact nose 26 and thence to the disk-like head 23 and thence tothe contact spring 3% The arrangement is such that the contact spring 39is first engaged and before the contact nose 26 engages the respectivecurrent carrying leg 32. Thus the nose 26 does not at any time engage aleg 32 which carlies the current from the battery or other source untilafter one of the contact arms 39 is first engaged. As a matter of factthe respective contact arm. 39 is engaged and then flexed slightlybefore the nose ,26 is brought into engagement with a current carryingarm 32. in view of the cross channel arrangement 36 and 37, manifestlythe contact nose 26 can move only in a defined path. In one directionthe tilting action results in the supplying of current to the pin orprong 25a or rocking motion in the opposite direction supplies currentto the prong 25c. Similarly a rockiru motion in one direction will bringthe contact nose 26 into the channel 36 to bring current either to thecontact prong 2512 or 25d.

It should be noted that the prong 252 is positioned be.- tween theprongs 25a and 2517. Associated with the prong 25s is the spring finger39 similar to that above described. This arrangement is such that whenthe contact nose 26 is brought in such direction as to bring current tothe prong 25s, the disk-like head 23 will also and simultaneously engagethe two spring contact arms 39 which are associated with the prongs 25aand 25e respectively. Therefore current is simultaneously brought toboth these prongs upon the rocking of the contact nose toward the prong25a. This same action obtains in connection with the movement of thecontact nose 26 in a direction to bring current to the prong 2517because similarly the circular head 28 will at the same time be broughinto engagement with the contact spring 39 associated with both thecontact prong 25b and the prong 25c.

The mounting of the assembly is done in a conventional manner, a simplespring clip operating both to hold the cover 11 and base in the desiredassembled position and at the same time secure these parts securelytogether. Such spring clips are old in the art and since they form nopart of the present invention, description and illustration thereof arenot considered necessary. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a plate 46 havingspring arms to engage the adjacent prongs is provided and such plate mayserve as a bus bar in some instances to connect certain of the prongstogether electrically. It will also be observed that insulating washers41 are provided for insulating the plate 4t) from adjacent portions suchas the base 29 of the cup-like conductor.

From the above description it will be manifest that I have produced anexceedingly simple and inexpensive switch mechanism, the parts of whichcan be readily and conveniently assembled. The entire structure has beendesigned from the standpoint of a long period of service Withoutattention, the parts being ruggedly constructed and none is of suchdelicate structure as to break readily or parting from the spirit of theinvention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, means on said body adapted to connect with asource ofcurrent and having a plurality of arms disposed parallel to and spacedfrom said spring elements, one arm being adjacent each spring element,and a rockable switch actuating member having a spring elementcontacting part for passing current from any one of said arms to theadja cent of said spring elements, said contacting parts beingconstructed and arranged so that said spring element is first engagedand then said adjacent current carrying arm is engaged.

2. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, means on said body adapted to connect with a source ofcurrent and having a plurality of arms disposed parallel to nd sp ced fom. said spr le en one arm be dja e t a h p g e ment, a o kab s t a atng member having a spring element contacting part and an arm contactingpart for passing current from any of said arms to the adjacent of saidspring elements, said contacting parts being constructed and arranged sothat said-spring element is first engaged and then said adjacent currentcarrying arm is engaged, and means to cause said arm contacting part ofthe rockable member to move in defined paths.

3. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, a cup-like member fitted to a central portion of saidbody adapted to connect with a source of current and having a pluralityof integral arms disposed parallel to and spaced from said springelements, one arm being adjacent each spring element, a rockable switchactuating member having a spring element contacting part and any one ofsaid arms contacting part for passing current from an arm to theadjacent of said springs element, said contacting parts beingconstructed and arranged so that said spring element is first engagedand then said adjacent current carrying arm is engaged, and means tocause said arm contacting part of the rockable member to move in definedpaths.

4. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, a cup-like member fitted to a central portion of saidbody adapted to connect with a source of current and having a pluralityof integral arms disposed parallel to and spaced from saidspringelements, one arm being adjacent each spring element, a rockableswitch actauting member having a spring element contacting part and anyone of said arms contacting part for passing current from an arm to theadjacent of said spring elements, said contacting parts beingconstructed and arranged so that said spring element is first engagedand then said adjacent current carrying arm is engaged, said contactingparts comprising a one-piece member in which an elongate noseconstitutes the current carrying part and a cylindrical disc constitutesthe spring element contacting part, and means to cause said armcontactingpart of the rockable member to move in defined paths.

5 Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, means on said body adapted to connect with a source ofcurrent and having a plurality of arms disposed parallel to and spacedfrom said spring elements, one arm being adjacent each spring element, ahousing part fitting one end of said body and having a centralcylindrical flanged aperture, a switch actuating member having asubstantially line contact with the wall of said aperture, a manualelement on said actuating member exteriorly of said housing part, a postrigid with said actuating member and of nonconducting material, springmeans for mounting said actuating member and normally positioning samecentrally, a nose of conducting material on the inner end of said postfor engagement with a selected current carrying arm, and a cylindricaldisc intermediate the nose and said post and also of conductivematerial, said disc being engageable with any of said spring elementsbefore the nose engages the adjacent of said current carrying arms.

6. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, means on said body adapted to connect with a source ofcurrent and having a plurality of arms disposed parallel to and spacedfrom said spring elements, one arm being adjacent each spring element, ahousing part fitting one end of said body and having a centralcylindrical flanged aperture, a switch actuating member having asubstantially line contact with the wall of said aperture, a manualelement on said actuating member exteriorly of said housing part, a postrigid with said actuating member and of non-conducting material, springmeans for mounting said actuating member and normally positioning samecentrally, a nose of conducting material on the inner end of said postfor engagement with a selected current carrying arm, a cylindrical discintermediate the nose and said post and also of conductive material,said disc being engageable with any of said spring elements before thenose engages the adjacent of said current carrying arms, and meansproviding channels in said body into which the nose extends and ismovable, a current carrying arm being disposed at the end portions ofsaid channels.

7. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through said body, a leaf spring element foreach pin mounted on said body and arranged to be flexed toward therespective pin, means on said body adapted to connect with a source ofcurrent and having a plurality of arms disposed parallel to and spacedfrom said spring elements, one arm being adjacent each spring element, ahousing part fitting one end of said body and having a centralcylindrical flanged aperture, 9. switch actuating member in the form ofa double reversely positioned truncated cone, having a substantiallyline contact with the wall of said aperture, a manual element on saidactuating member exteriorly of said housing part, a post rigid with saidactuating member of non-conducting material, spring means for mount ingsaid actuating member and normally positioning same centrally, saidspring means including a washer on said cone, a washer abutting the endsof said conductive pins, and a cone-shaped spring between said washers,a nose of conducting material on the inner end of said post forengagement with a selected current carrying arm, a

cylindrical disc intermediate the nose and said post and also ofconductive material, said disc being engageable with any of said springelements before the nose engages the adjacent of said current carryingarms, and means providing channels in said body into which the noseextends and is movable, a current carrying arm being disposed at the endportions of said channels.

8. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through and spaced about the outer portion ofsaid body, said body having a central inwardly disposed cavity having aplurality of slots corresponding in arrangement to said pins, asubstantially cup-shaped metallic member having integral verticallydisposed arms extending through said slits respectively, means forconveying current to said cup-shaped member, an inwardly extendingrecess in said body between said pins and said central recess, aconductive spring for each pin and comprising a portion anchored by thepin and an arm portion resiliently engaging an inner wall of saidinwardly extending recess, and a manually rockable actuator having anose portion projecting into said central recess for selectivelyengaging one of said vertically disposed current carrying arms, saidactuator also having a conductive member engaging said nose andprojecting laterally so that upon rocking of the actuator said lastmember engages one of said springs before the nose engages one of saidcurrent carrying arms.

9. Switch mechanism comprising an insulating body, a plurality ofconductive pins extending through and spaced about the outer portion ofsaid body, said body having a central inwardly disposed cavity having aplurality of slots corresponding in arrangement to said pins, asubstantially cup-shaped metallic member having integral verticallydisposed arms extending through said slits respectively, means forconveying current to said cup-shaped member, an inwardly extendingrecess in said body between said pins and said central recess, aconductive spring for each pin and comprising a portion anchored by thepin and an arm portion resiliently engaging an inner wall of saidinwardly extending recess, and a manually rockable actuator having anose portion projecting into said central recess for selectivelyengaging one of said vertically dis posed current carrying arms, saidactuator also having a conductive member engaging said nose andprojecting laterally so that upon rocking of the actuator said lastmember engages one of said springs before the nose engages one of saidcurrent carrying arms, said central recess having channels into whichsaid nose projects for causing the latter to move through predeterminedpaths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,550,793 Fairbanks Aug. 25, 1925

